Dog-Friendly Delicious Campfire Recipes: Simple Eats for You and Your Pups!

Is there anything better than pulling up to a stunning Colorado campsite, the mountains towering overhead, and the smell of pine needles filling the air? People who travel in an RV with dogs live for these moments. Once the rig is leveled and the dog beds are deployed, there’s only one thing left to do: light that campfire!

The campfire isn’t just about warmth or warding off mosquitos; it’s the heart of the campsite kitchen. Camp cooking over an open flame is as good as it gets, but as dedicated dog-lovers, we always want to make sure the cooking is safe and maybe, just maybe, includes a little something special for the goodest boys and girls on the trip.

Here are 5 simple, safe, and seriously delicious campfire recipes. These are designed to be cooked right over your fire pit or on a portable grill, use minimal ingredients, and, most importantly, have dog-safe variations or ingredients you can easily share.

Safety First for Delicious Campfire Recipes 🛑🐾

Let’s talk safety – because a fun night can turn hairy fast if fire and Fido mix.

• Mind the Zone: Always designate a “no-go” zone for your dogs around the fire pit. Teach them early (with high-value treats!) that the ring around the fire is off-limits. You can use a portable dog pen or long tethers keep the dogs safe outside of the immediate area.

• Containment is Key: When the fire is lit and food is being handled, keep your pups on leashes, tethers, or in an enclosure. A dropped piece of food might seem harmless, but a curious nudge into hot coals is a disaster.

• Ash and Smoke: Watch the wind direction. Smoke can irritate your dog’s eyes and lungs, just like ours. Keep them upwind. Once the fire is out, ensure they don’t ingest any ash – it can be toxic and cause stomach issues.

• Proper Gear: Invest in long-handled grilling tongs and spatulas to keep yourself (and any sniffing noses!) further away from the flames. Also, a good pair of heat-resistant gloves on Amazon is a game-changer for moving grates and foil packets.

The Canine Campfire Treat: Simple & Dog-Safe! 🍖🥕

While we all love sharing, remember that many human campfire staples—s’mores, highly seasoned meats, hot dogs full of nitrates—are not great for dogs. Here are two super simple treats that are 100% dog-approved and use the campfire’s residual heat.

Delicious Campfire Recipes #1 – Campfire Sweet Potato Chews

Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They should be a staple in every RV pantry!

Prep: Wash one medium sweet potato per dog. Do not peel it – the skin adds structure. 

Cook: Slice the sweet potato into rounds about half an inch thick. You can toss them lightly with a tiny bit of plain coconut oil (also great for dog coats) if you like, but it’s not necessary. 

The Magic: Place the slices directly on aluminum foil, or better yet, a dedicated campfire cooking grate. Let them cook over the dying embers (not direct flame) until soft and slightly caramelized. Should take about 20–30 minutes, flipping once. 

Serve: Once cooled completely (seriously – completely!), cut them into bite-sized pieces for your pups. These are chewy, sweet, and a huge hit!

Delicious Campfire Recipes #2 – The Mighty Bone Broth Boil (A hydrating Treat)

This is fantastic for rewarding your dogs after a long hike in the Colorado high country.

Prep: Get a large pot (recommend an enameled cast-iron dutch oven). Add a quart of low-sodium, dog-safe bone broth (or make your own by boiling chicken/beef bones). Add in a handful of chopped carrots and green beans. 

Cook: Hang the dutch oven over the fire or place it on the grate. Bring the broth to a rolling boil, then move it to a lower-heat area (or just adjust the chain) and let it simmer until the veggies are tender. 

Serve: Once cooled down, serve the broth and soft veggies mixed with their regular kibble or just as a hydrating “soup.” It’s nourishing and delicious!

The Human Feast: Sharing a Safe Base 🥩🌽

The best way to safely share with your dogs is to set aside their portion before you add any human seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powdee, or hot sauce.

Delicious Campfire Recipes #3 – “Just-Meat” Mountain Fajitas

This is a go-to recipe for its versatility and ease of separating the ingredients.

The Meat: Slice up a couple of pounds of chicken breast, flank steak, or boneless pork loin. 

The Veggies: Slice up bell peppers (all colors), and a zucchini or two. Skip the onion entirely for dog safety. 

The Prep: Get out two separate large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil. 

Dog Packet: Place a generous portion of unseasoned meat slices and a handful of sliced bell peppers and zucchini into the foil. Seal the edges well. 

Human Packet: Put the remaining meat and veggies in the second foil packet. Now, add your flavor! A dash of chili powder, cumin, a squeeze of lime juice, and a tiny bit of salt. Seal this one up, too.

Cook: Place both packets right on the hot embers or the campfire grate. They cook fast, usually 15–20 minutes, depending on the heat. Use your tongs to flip them halfway through. The meat will steam and tenderize perfectly in the foil.

The Split: Pups: Let the dog packet cool for 15 minutes. Chop the contents into safe, small chunks and serve a moderate portion mixed with their dinner. Humans: Shred your meat and veggies and serve them in tortillas with your favorite toppings (cheese, salsa, guacamole). Dinner is served!

Delicious Campfire Recipes #4 – Foil-Wrapped Fish & Veggies

Fish is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are fantastic for your dog’s joint health – especially important for big breeds or super-active dogs. Salmon is ideal, but cod or trout works well, too.

The Prep: Take a large, skin-on salmon fillet. Cut it in half. Dog Portion: Place the smaller half on a square of foil. Add sliced asparagus or chopped broccoli florets. Do not season. Human Portion: Place the larger half on a separate piece of foil. Season lightly with lemon slices and dill. You can add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil.

The Cook: Place both foil packets directly on the campfire grate over medium heat. Cook for about 12–15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.

The Split: Pups: Let the dog portion cool completely. Carefully remove any tiny bones (even fillets can have them) and break up the fish and soft veggies over their kibble. The Omega-3s will have their coats looking fantastic. Humans: Enjoy your flavorful fish right from the foil packet with desired sides and your beverage of choice.

Delicious Campfire Recipes #5 – Cheesy-Chicken Campfire Spud

Potatoes, when cooked properly and unseasoned, are a safe and fun carbohydrate source for dogs – in moderation, of course.

The Spud: Grab a few Russet potatoes. Prick them all over with a fork. 

The Prep: Rub a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil on them, then wrap each one individually in a double layer of foil. 

The Cook: Place them directly in the hot coals (not the flames). They will take awhile – plan for 45–60 minutes.

The Split: Pups: Once the potatoes have cooled, cut one in half. Scoop out some of the flesh, mix it with a tablespoon of plain, cooked chicken (no skin or seasoning), and a very small sprinkle of plain cheddar cheese. This makes a rich, satisfying reward. Humans: Slice open the remaining potatoes and load them up with butter, sour cream, chives, bacon bits, or whatever campfire fixings you brought.

Cooking fun and tasty meals is part of the adventure when camping. Why not save time by treating yourself as well as your pups from the same effort of creating delicious campsite treats?

Ready for your next Colorado adventure? Get tons more useful info from our Camping with Dogs blog, and grab all the gear you and your pups need in our Gear up for the Adventure store!